See If I Care

~4~

*Thank you for all your help Faruk. May your enemies tremble before you,* Alex said with a bow.

*And may your enemies fall at your feet, young one,* Faruk returned with a bow before entering the office again.

"You speak Gobbledygook well child. Who taught you the language of the noble goblin race?" Merlin asked as he led them through the halls with what seemed like practiced ease.

"Thank you. No one taught me. I taught myself from several books that I was able to find in various bookshops and the library of the manor I lived in over the past year," they said.

"Most impressive. Rowena and Helga will be delighted that you are so adapt with languages. Rowena loves the different magical languages and will be happy to teach you more languages of different magical races. Helga on the other hand, is extremely interested in human languages and I guarantee she will want to teach you the many human languages she knows," Merlin said, and his praise caused Alex to grin and blush slightly; they were so used to working independently that they soaked up praise whenever they got it, especially since Remus could only visit once a week or so, and he really didn't fully understand what they did when he wasn't there half of the time anyway. Remus was smart, but the things he researched and knew about was down only a few paths, while Alex liked to learn about everything they could.

"Will they also teach me the etiquette and customs of each culture that speaks the language they teach?" they asked. They didn't want to be able to speak the language if they couldn't follow the etiquette and customs of those who spoke the language; it would be highly disrespectful.

"I believe so. Helga is very big on traditions, customs, and etiquette and will most likely be teaching you how to act as a proper heir should and would probably be delighted to advance the lessons to ones for many different cultures, of both human and magical races." Alex grinned, a small skip appearing in their step as they continued to traverse through the twisting corridors of Gringotts; they hadn't realised how deep in the building the office and time chamber were.

"What else will they teach me?"

"I believe that Helga will teach you about the arts – dancing, music, drawing, painting, whichever arts you have an affinity for or enjoy. She will teach you about animals, both magical and mundane. Helga will teach you human languages, etiquette, traditions, and customs, like I already said. And she will teach you Healing.

"Rowena, I believe, will teach you the Fundamental magics – Charms and Transfigurations. She will teach you about Runes and Arithmancy. She will teach you magical languages, as I said, and she will be the one to teach you Divination if you are so inclined. Finally, Rowena will teach you about Spell Craft, how to edit spells and how to create your own from scratch."

"That sounds amazing," Alex exclaimed bouncing down the steps of the marble building and down into the alley so they could reach the apparition point.

"I am glad you are so excited child. Godric, Salazar, and I will all also be your teachers, not just Helga and Rowena," Merlin said, smiling gently down at the bouncing child holding his hand. They had seemed so mature and uncaring when he first saw them, but now he was seeing how childlike they were; he was happy to see them acting their age. Even Alex's magic was seemingly dancing with them, flowing, bouncing, and swirling around them.

"It really sounds amazing. What year is it, by the way? I didn't ask Faruk."

"It is the first of August in 988. Here we are. Ready to go to Hogwarts?" Merlin asked. Alex nodded, their grin not leaving their face. Merlin smiled down at them before apparating to the outskirts of the castle wards. As one of the five who had powered the wards, he could have apparated into the castle, but he wanted Alex to see the castle before entering it. Besides, this way he could continue to explain what they would be taught as they moved through the castle.